Accidentally Married the Princess [Time Travel] - Chapter 1

“That sickly one is holed up in their room again.”

“Indeed, looking half-dead and dragging us all down.”

At this very moment, the so-called “sickly one,” Gong Yu, was in the midst of a bewildered breakdown.

The idea of transmigrating such a cliché and fantastical event was absolute nonsense to Gong Yu, a well-educated university student.

Yet, after more than half a month, Gong Yu had temporarily come to understand one thing.

Their identity was somewhat precarious.

As the powerless and weak youngest child of the emperor, being frail and sickly was bad enough, but disguising as a man? That was a capital offense in itself.

“Young Lord, don’t be late for the palace banquet today,” said the steward outside the door, the only person who treated Gong Yu kindly at the moment.

Gong Yu resignedly allowed the maids and attendants to dress them, still baffled by the coincidence that this young prince was also named Gong Yu.

Leaving the residence, boarding the carriage, and heading to the banquet. Gong Yu was still just a child, their height suggesting they couldn’t be much older than ten.

The carriage wheels rolled steadily. Upon disembarking, Gong Yu was grateful that this frail young lord rarely ventured out, likely spending most days bedridden.

The loyal steward stood dutifully by their side as Gong Yu straightened their back and followed the guiding servant through the long corridors.

It was spring, and the air was slightly chilly, so Gong Yu was bundled up tightly. Before they even reached the hall’s entrance, the sound of music and revelry drifted out. It seemed this young prince Gong Yu was of such little consequence that no one paid them any mind.

Upon entering the hall, inexplicable gazes turned their way. Gong Yu stiffened their expression and saw a man seated at the head of the room, clad in flowing robes with a sword at his waist, exuding an imposing aura. Holding a wine cup, he looked over and said:

“I heard our Ninth Brother fell gravely ill and nearly lost half his life. As your elder brother, I was occupied assisting our father with state affairs and couldn’t visit. Do you resent me for it?”

“Thank you for your concern, Eldest Brother. This younger brother is fine,” Gong Yu replied, bowing their head.

“Come, take your seat.”

This man was Crown Prince Gong Quan, his mother a noblewoman from a powerful family. What kind of person he was, Gong Yu couldn’t yet discern.

As the banquet commenced, the hall was packed with attendees, dozens of servants and maids alone and the space was vast. The steward reminded Gong Yu not to eat recklessly before stepping outside to wait.

Gong Yu nodded in acknowledgment, occasionally glancing around. Bored, they fiddled with the exquisite wine cup not ceramic but something like bronze, square and weighty, sturdy enough to serve as a makeshift weapon if needed.

As the sun set, the banquet showed no signs of ending. Instead, the crowd grew livelier, as if awaiting someone important.

Unable to leave, Gong Yu nibbled on pastries until the hall doors suddenly swung open. A lavishly dressed woman entered gracefully.

All the imperial descendants rose to their feet. Poor Gong Yu, having just taken a bite of pastry, hurriedly stood up and stuffed the rest into their mouth.

“Attendants, prepare a seat of honor for Lady Qingji,” Gong Quan said, his earlier sternness replaced with deference, clearly currying favor.

Standing among a crowd of adults, Gong Yu appeared especially small and inconspicuous.

Emboldened, they continued eating the remaining pastries until they suddenly felt a gaze upon them. Gong Yu froze.

Beside the woman called Lady Qingji was another girl, about fourteen or fifteen years old, strikingly beautiful and resembling the lady.

Caught red-handed, Gong Yu wiped their mouth with their sleeve and smiled sheepishly.

However, the woman swiftly moved away, leaving Gong Yu awkwardly rubbing her nose before obediently standing still.

As night fell, having eaten quite a few pastries and drunk plenty of water, Gong Yu asked a servant by a side door where she could relieve herself.

After navigating a maze of twists and turns, Gong Yu found herself completely lost on her way back.

The courtyard was vast, adorned with carved railings and decorations fit for nobility, suggesting it was likely a place reserved for entertaining royalty and aristocrats.

Passing by a pear garden, Gong Yu was captivated by the sight of pear blossoms blooming like snow, so breathtaking that she stopped in her tracks.

The place was serene and silent, perfect for admiring the scenery. A gentle evening breeze carried the fallen petals through the air, lifting Gong Yu’s already loose robes along with them.

Beautiful as it was, it was also a bit chilly. A sudden sneeze startled her, and she lowered her head, ready to head back.

“Who’s there?” A voice suddenly called out, startling Gong Yu.

The woman from the hall earlier stood not far away, tilting her head slightly in her direction. Due to their height difference, Gong Yu had to lift her chin slightly to see the woman’s face clearly.

She’s so beautiful.

This was Gong Yu’s second conclusion upon seeing her. But why was she here alone?

The woman turned slightly and said, “The night wind is cold. Shouldn’t the young mistress return to the hall?”

Gong Yu stepped into the pavilion and only then noticed the warmth radiating from a heater inside, making it hard to leave.

“Then why haven’t you gone back?” Gong Yu asked while brushing pear blossom petals off her robes.

“I don’t like it,” the woman replied candidly before reaching out.

Gong Yu stood there dumbly, catching a faint, pear-like fragrance from her.

The woman’s fingers lightly combed through Gong Yu’s loose hair, plucking out a few stray petals before stepping back. “You should return soon, or the servants will worry.”

“I don’t like the banquet either,” Gong Yu said, lingering beside her, fingers clinging to the heater. “But since someone sent an invitation, I had to come.”

“What about you?”

The woman seemed momentarily lost in thought before answering, “I suppose I’m the one who sent the invitation the young mistress mentioned.”

Huh?

Gong Yu looked at her in confusion. “Did you host this banquet?”

“In a way, yes but not entirely.”

Was that complaining about the banquet right in front of the host? Gong Yu forced an awkward yet polite smile.

The pavilion grew quiet. Noticing the untouched fruits on the table, Gong Yu turned to the woman. “Are you unhappy?”

“How does the young mistress know I’m unhappy?” The woman frowned slightly, as if displeased by the question.

Gong Yu held the heater, leaning against the railing with her legs crossed. “Sit down with me, and I’ll tell you.”

Once seated side by side, Gong Yu thought for a moment. “Whenever I have to take medicine or endure acupuncture, I frown and feel unhappy. Right now, you look just like that.”

“Is that so?”

The woman murmured as if realizing something, her gaze shifting toward the approaching lantern lights in the distance. “They’ve come looking for you. Shouldn’t the young mistress return now?”

“Ah, yes, I should go back.” Gong Yu stood, straightening her elaborate robes before pressing the heater into the woman’s hands with a smile. “I’m not called ‘young mistress.’ My name is Gong Yu.”

“If no one’s around, you don’t have to call me that.”

“Little Highness…” The distant call drew near, forcing Gong Yu to withdraw her hand. She turned and took a few steps away before circling back, whispering, “You’re so beautiful. It’s dangerous for a girl to be alone here. Why don’t you come back with me?”

The woman was momentarily taken aback, then a faint smile curved her lips. “The young prince worries too much. This is Dai Garden.”

Huh?

Gong Yu listened blankly, her scholarly curiosity piqued. “What about Dai Garden?”

“I… I’ve been sickly since childhood, and after falling seriously ill recently, I’ve forgotten many things.” Afraid of revealing any flaws, Gong Yu hurriedly explained.

The woman’s slightly surprised expression softened into a smile. “It’s nothing. Dai Garden is just a place. Little Highness needn’t be so formal.”

Her personality is so nice, Gong Yu thought, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

Of course, the still-young Gong Yu couldn’t possibly have imagined that this woman with such a pleasant demeanor was far from simple.

A gentle breeze blew as Gong Yu didn’t linger any longer, following the servant who had come to fetch her.

It wasn’t until late at night when the banquet ended that Gong Yu was finally able to leave. The carriage rocked along the road, and Gong Yu, drowsy, curled up inside and fell asleep.

This nap led to her catching a chill. Though it wasn’t particularly severe, to maintain her sickly persona, Gong Yu seized the opportunity to decline all future banquets, citing poor health.

Not long after Grain Rain passed, it was the beginning of summer. The weather grew increasingly hot, and Gong Yu spent her days lounging in the waterside pavilion, doing little more than lying around and eating. Though she had to attend school every five days, aside from that, she had plenty of free time and little else to occupy her.

However, the household finances were limited. According to the hardworking steward’s reports, they had been barely scraping by in previous years. Pitifully, despite being part of the imperial family, their expenses had long exceeded their income in recent years. Powerless and without influence, Gong Yu considered selling off some household items for money.

But the steward wouldn’t hear of it. How could a member of the imperial family stoop to such undignified behavior?

Left with no choice, Gong Yu secretly took some small items out of the estate without the steward’s knowledge. The capital was bustling, its streets a labyrinth of activity.

Finding a spot by the riverside under the willow trees, Gong Yu set up her makeshift stall. The gentle breeze was refreshing.

As the sun climbed higher, most of her trinkets had already been sold. With silver tucked into her sleeves, Gong Yu was about to pack up when she noticed the hem of a woman’s skirt stopping before her.

She instinctively looked up, only to recognize the woman and hastily lower her head again.

“Little… What are you doing here?” the woman asked, tactfully adjusting her address.

Gong Yu blinked, putting on an innocent act. “Dear sister, please don’t tell anyone.”

Even though, in reality, she was a few years older than this woman.

The woman was momentarily stunned, suppressing a laugh. “Are you short on money?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll take all of these.”

Huh?

A heavy pouch of silver was pressed into her hands. Gong Yu was too stunned to react at first, watching blankly as the woman’s attendants gathered up her items. Only then did she manage to say, “But these things aren’t worth much…”

“Privately selling imperial artifacts is a capital offense,” the woman said lightly.

Gong Yu’s heart nearly stopped in fright. “Then, why are you buying them? Aren’t you afraid of being punished?”

The woman’s eyes flickered as she handed over a handkerchief, her tone gentle. “I heard you fell ill a few days ago and have only just recovered. You should be resting at home.”

“Mm.”

Before the words could fade, the steward hurried out with attendants to search for the young master. The woman tilted her head slightly and said, “Since your household has come looking for you, I shall take my leave.”

Holding the heavy silver in his arms, Gong Yu turned to the panting steward, who glanced in the direction of the departing woman and asked, “Young master, how did you come to know that lady?”

“Is there any reason I shouldn’t?”

The worried steward patiently explained, “That young lady is none other than the daughter of the powerful Dai family, whose influence reaches the heavens in court. She is the future empress.”

No wonder all those royal descendants had attended that banquet. No wonder she had said she disliked it.

For it had been her matchmaking banquet.